What Is Level 4 First Aid? The Most Advanced First Aid

Being asked to complete Level 4 First Aid can be confusing because it is no longer the name of a current nationally recognised first aid unit. Historically, the term was linked to Occupational First Aid, which covers more advanced workplace first aid responsibilities.

Today, this type of training is generally associated with HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set. However, some providers also use the term ‘Level 4 First Aid’ when referring to HLTAID012 – Provide First Aid in an education and care setting.

The safest approach is to check the exact unit code or skill set required before enrolling, so you can make sure you choose the right course.

What Does Level 4 First Aid Mean?

Traditionally, Level 4 First Aid referred to Occupational First Aid. You can still see evidence of this terminology in older Australian workplace documents and awards, where qualifications were sometimes described according to different first aid levels.

Level 1 generally referred to Basic First Aid, Level 2 to Senior First Aid, Level 3 to Advanced First Aid and Level 4 to Occupational First Aid.

However, Australia’s nationally recognised first aid training is no longer officially structured using these levels. Instead, current courses have nationally recognised unit codes such as:

• HLTAID009 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• HLTAID010 – Provide Basic Emergency Life Support
• HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
• HLTAID012 – Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
• HLTAID014 – Provide Advanced First Aid

There is also HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set, which combines several advanced first aid units for people working or intending to work in nominated occupational first aider roles.

What Is Occupational First Aid?

Occupational first aid is designed for people who have more extensive first aid responsibilities within a workplace. Rather than simply knowing how to respond when someone is injured or becomes ill, an occupational first aider may also need to help establish, maintain and facilitate appropriate workplace first aid arrangements.

The current HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set includes four units: HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid, HLTAID014 – Provide Advanced First Aid, HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy, HLTAID016 – Manage First Aid Services and Resources.

Together, these units cover a broader range of first aid and workplace first aid management skills than a standard first aid course.

What Does Occupational First Aid Training Cover?

Because HLTSS00068 combines several nationally recognised units, the training covers both responding to emergencies and managing workplace first aid services and resources. Depending on the training and assessment structure, this can include skills such as:

• CPR
• Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
• Responding to common injuries and medical emergencies
• Advanced first aid
• Managing multiple casualties
• Co-ordinating first aid activities
• Advanced resuscitation
• Oxygen therapy
• Maintaining resuscitation and oxygen equipment
• Conducting workplace first aid risk assessments
• Developing first aid response plans
• Maintaining first aid equipment and resources
• First aid incident reporting
• Reviewing workplace first aid responses

This broader scope is one of the biggest differences between occupational first aid and general first aid training.

Is Level 4 First Aid the Same as HLTAID012?

This is where the terminology can become confusing. Some current Australian training providers refer to HLTAID012 – Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting as ‘Level 4 First Aid’.

HLTAID012 is designed for people who may need to provide first aid in places such as schools, daycare, sporting clubs or other venues frequented by children. It includes responding to emergencies involving adults, children and infants, including asthma and anaphylaxis.

However, this is different from the historical use of Level 4 First Aid to mean Occupational First Aid. HLTAID012 is not an occupational first aid qualification and the official national unit title isn’t ‘Level 4 First Aid’.

This is why you shouldn’t choose a course based solely on the words ‘Level 4’. If an employer, education provider or other organisation has asked you for Level 4 First Aid, ask them for the exact current unit code or skill set they require.

What Is the Difference Between Level 3 and Level 4 First Aid?

Historically, Level 3 and Level 4 represented more advanced levels of first aid training.

Level 3 First Aid was commonly associated with Advanced First Aid. The current nationally recognised unit commonly associated with this level is HLTAID014 – Provide Advanced First Aid.

Level 4 First Aid was historically associated with Occupational First Aid. The current HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set includes HLTAID014 but goes further by also incorporating advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy and the management of workplace first aid services and resources.

So the key distinction is that advanced first aid focuses primarily on providing an advanced response, while occupational first aid also includes skills associated with establishing and managing workplace first aid arrangements.

Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3 vs Level 4 First Aid

Although Australia’s current nationally recognised training system doesn’t officially categorise first aid courses as Levels 1 to 4, the old terminology is still encountered. As a general guide:

Traditional terminology	Current training commonly associated with it	General focus
Level 1 First Aid	HLTAID010 – Provide Basic Emergency Life Support	Basic response to life-threatening emergencies
Level 2 First Aid	HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid	General workplace and community first aid
Level 3 First Aid	HLTAID014 – Provide Advanced First Aid	Advanced first aid and more complex emergencies
Level 4 First Aid	Historically Occupational First Aid; now commonly compared with HLTSS00068	Advanced workplace first aid and management of first aid services

Remember that these are general comparisons rather than official current course levels. In particular, ‘Level 4 First Aid’ can have different meanings depending on who is using the term.

Who Might Need Occupational First Aid Training?

Not every workplace first aider needs occupational first aid training. HLTSS00068 is specifically designed for people who are employed, or intend to become employed, in nominated occupational first aider roles.

Whether this level of training is appropriate will depend on factors such as the nature of the workplace, its hazards, the number and location of workers and how quickly emergency medical assistance can be accessed.

For many workplaces, HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid may provide the appropriate level of training. Higher-risk or more complex workplaces may identify a need for people with more advanced first aid capabilities. The appropriate qualification should be determined according to the requirements of your workplace, industry and relevant work health and safety authority.

Is Level 4 First Aid the Same Across Australia?

Current nationally recognised units and skill sets are part of Australia’s national vocational education and training system. So HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set is nationally recognised rather than being a different qualification in each state.

However, workplace first aid requirements can vary depending on the circumstances. Individual employers and industries may also have specific requirements about which units their first aiders need to hold.

The terminology itself can vary too. You may encounter ‘Level 4 First Aid’, ‘Occupational First Aid’ or simply the current unit and skill set codes. For this reason, always check exactly which current qualification you need rather than assuming ‘Level 4’ has one universal meaning across Australia.

Does Level 4 First Aid Include CPR?

If Level 4 is being used in the traditional sense of Occupational First Aid, the current HLTSS00068 skill set incorporates advanced first aid and advanced resuscitation skills.

HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid includes CPR skills, while HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy extends into areas such as advanced resuscitation techniques and oxygen therapy.

If you need to maintain CPR currency for your workplace, check the refresher requirements that apply to your role. Australian workplace guidance generally recommends that CPR training be refreshed annually.

How Long Does Level 4 First Aid Last?

A nationally recognised Statement of Attainment doesn’t simply expire after a particular period. However, workplace first aiders need to maintain their skills and may be subject to refresher or currency requirements.

Australian workplace guidance generally recommends annual CPR refresher training and renewal of first aid qualifications every three years. Advanced or occupational first aid roles may have additional training requirements, so check with your employer, industry body or relevant work health and safety authority.

Is Level 4 First Aid Still Recognised?

The term Level 4 First Aid is still used, but it shouldn’t be treated as the official name of a current nationally recognised qualification. Historically, Level 4 was associated with Occupational First Aid. Today, HLTSS00068 – Occupational First Aid Skill Set provides nationally recognised training for nominated occupational first aider roles.

However, because some organisations use ‘Level 4’ differently, you should always confirm exactly which training is required.

If someone tells you that you need a Level 4 First Aid certificate, a simple question can prevent you from enrolling in the wrong course: “Which current first aid unit or skill set do I need?”